Gilbert’s Lodge server Dominique Bommarito and owner Louie Bricolas show off a plate of chicken quesadillas at a VIP party to announce their re-opening on Wednesday. MITCH HOTTS -- THE MACOMB DAILY

For a restaurant that’s been damaged by fire twice in the past 15 months, the last thing one might expect to see at Gilbert’s Lodge is, well, fire.

But the newly renovated eatery in St. Clair Shores has a new large fireplace indoors and one on the patio, along with an outdoor fire pit that adds a warm vibe to the “Up North” decor.

“It is kind of ironic,” said Gilbert’s manager Flip Ulrich of the fire features.

But the fire features are far from the only new aspects.

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As the Gilbert’s team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to announce their re-opening, they showed off a total overhaul of the 6,500-square-foot, 300-seat facility on Harper Avenue south of Nine Mile Road.

From the parking lot to the underground plumbing system, owner Louie Bricolas has put a new face on a well-known establishment. There’s new carpeting, new lights, new garage doors on the north side of the building that open up to allow year-round use of the patio, which will be enclosed in winter months.

Longtime customers will be glad to know Bricolas kept the Gilbert’s model train that rolls along a track near the ceiling and the log-chairs in the dining room.

Gilbert’s had major damage last October when a fire blazed through the kitchen and seating area, forcing a months-long closure. The rebuild was weeks away from completion when a second fire broke out May 22 in the mechanical room, causing smoke and water damaged.

Despite the fires, Bricolas scoffed at the suggestion that the place may be jinxed.

“This place has been like a lottery ticket for me,” he said. “After the first fire, we decided we might as well go all out and fix up the entire property. Now it’s built for another 20 to 30 years. We’re grateful for the support the community has shown us and we’re happy to be back.”

The restaurant has been in place since 1963 but Bricolas has operated it since 1991 and turned it into a fixture in St. Clair Shores dining scene. Rap superstar Eminem (Marshall Mathers) worked there on and off in the late 1990s.

Other new features include five new 70-inch HD television monitors, new pizza ovens, a restored horseshoe bar, and updated Trophy Room. Known for their Angus beef burgers, Gilbert’s added a new chef, David Douglas, but has retained the menu customers clamor for.

“We went looking for other place to eat while Gilbert’s was closed,” said Maryann Kurty, who attended Wednesday’s event with her husband, David. “I think we wore out our welcome.”

St. Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby called Gilbert’s an “institution” in St. Clair Shores.

“We are very thankful they have persevered,” Walby said. “Let’s hope there are no more incidents.”

Gilbert’s is now open again and will host grand opening/customer appreciation events with live entertainment, giveaways and promotions July 16-20. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the St. Clair Shores Firefighters’ charity, the Great Lake Burn Camp.